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Boulder County DA: No extra security at Justice Center in wake of shootings

Garnett says he and his staff take safety seriously

By Mitchell Byars Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
04/03/2013 06:09:11 PM MDT

Updated:
04/03/2013 06:26:41 PM MDT

Boulder County sheriff s Deputy Steve Headley checks the monitor on the baggage scanner at the entrance to the Boulder County Justice Center on Tuesday. County officials say security is not being increased despite the recent killings of prosecutors in Texas and of Colorado s prison chief. (Mark Leffingwell / Daily Camera)

Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett

In light of the recent shootings of two Texas prosecutors as well as Colorado prison chief Tom Clements, Boulder County officials this week said that while safety and security always are on their minds, no extra security measures or drastic changes are in store at the Justice Center.

District Attorney Stan Garnett said that even before a Kaufman County, Texas, district attorney and his wife were shot and killed just two months after his chief prosecutor met the same fate, the safety of his staff in Boulder always was a concern.

"It's a fairly significant issue and has been long before these incidents," Garnett said. "I talk with my staff a lot about their personal safety and being aware of anything they feel threatens them... From time to time my staff will be the subject of comments or threats."

Garnett said those threats are reported to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.

"We've investigated threats made against DAs and deputy district attorneys, and we take those threats very seriously and we'll investigate them," sheriff's Cmdr. Rick Brough.

Garnett said the safety of prosecutors was thrust into the spotlight in 2008 after Adams County prosecutor Sean May was shot and killed outside his home. No arrests ever were made in that case, which remains unsolved. Before Clements' death last month, May's murder was the only time in the past 10 years a Colorado public official was killed while serving.

"That kind of was a shocker for the entire prosecution community," Garnett said. "The common thinking was that people would go after cops, witnesses, occasionally a judge -- but not prosecutors. Clearly that's changed, and everyone in the prosecution community has to realize that, and we're trying to make sure we adjust to that reality."

Garnett said he especially stresses that to younger prosecutors coming onto his staff.

"I've been doing this a long time, so I am aware of the risk, but when I hire these young kids right out of law school who want to learn how to become criminal prosecutors, I don't think they -- until I sit down and talk with them -- realize some risk may be involved with the job," Garnett said. "Part of my job is to make sure everybody understands the risks and takes appropriate steps."

Garnett said some prosecutors in his office have expressed a desire to carry handguns for their safety, and deputy district attorneys are peace officers in Colorado and can carry firearms. But Garnett said he has a policy in place where prosecutors cannot bring weapons into work and also requires prosecutors go through additional training if they want to carry guns outside of work.

"I want them to identify as lawyers and officers of the court, not cops," Garnett said.

As part of the safety policy at the courthouse, Garnett said he is looking at ensuring prosecutors get more secure parking spots as well as setting up protocols to follow in the event of threats.

Garnett also acknowledged that as an elected official and the head of the DA's office, he will end up receiving the bulk of the threats.

"I try to be an advocate for progressive law enforcement, whether it's guns or the death penalty or sentencing, I try to be consistent with the values of my district," he said. "Some people, particularly in other parts of the state, don't agree and occasionally send me communications that are fairly direct and some people count interpret as threats."

Of course, the former Boulder Valley School Board president added, "I got more threats while I was on the school board."

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